Authorities assist a truck that ran off the road on westbound Interstate 694 in Oakdale early Friday morning, March 15. (MnDOT)

Colder air from the northeast is expected to roll into east central Minnesota and west central Wisconsin at about 6 p.m., turning light spitting drizzle into snow as rush hour wraps Friday, March 15.

Moderate snowfall will continue across central and east central Minnesota through 9 p.m., with the flakes tapering off by midnight in west central Wisconsin, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather won't help the evening commute, which was already gummed up at the westbound I-94/northbound I-35W interchange in Minneapolis at about 3:30 p.m. Traffic on the Crosstown and I-494 at I-35W was also dragging as motorists began treks home for a weekend that promised even more late-season snowfall.

A more powerful storm likely late Sunday was expected to produce a band of heavy snow.

The best chance for 6 inches or more appears to be across central Minnesota and northern Wisconsin, according to the most recent projections from the weather service.

Strong winds of 30 mph, with gusts near 45 mph, will cause significant blowing and drifting across western Minnesota and could lead to blizzard conditions.